From the Preface
Although it has been suspected since ancient times that metals participate in biological processes, details of the manner in which they might exert a function have until recently remained unknown. It is now appreciated that metals play roles in catalysis, hormone action, gene and other regulatory functions, structural stabilization of macromolecules, muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and transport. "Metallobiochemistry" is a field which has grown and matured rapidly over the past decade. Metalloenzymes have been the central investigating targets. This volume provides both the emerging and practicing metallobiochemist with the necessary tools to answer what should be the number one and two questions: Is this enzyme a metalloenzyme? What metal is it?

This volume presents spectroscopic and physical methods for the determination of metal ion enviroments in metalloenzymes and metalloproteins. Major topics include spectroscopic methods for the determination of metal ion environments in metalloenzymes and metalloproteins, and physical methods for the determination of metal ion environments in metalloenzymes and metalloproteins.

This volume provides up-to-date, state-of-the-art methods for determining the metal content of metalloenzymes, metalloproteins, and other metallobiochemicals. It emphasizes the need for control of contamination, techniques for handling and dealing with contamination-sensitive molecules, and the absolute necessity of quantitating metal content in systems inferred to contain metals by indirect means.